Some vehicles are being recalled by manufacturers and can't be used for driving tests until they've been checked and fixed if necessary.

A vehicle can be recalled by the manufacturer if it has a known safety fault.There has been a worldwide recall of some vehicles because of concerns about potentially faulty passenger airbags.Recalled vehiclesYour vehicle will need to be checked and may need to be fixed before you can use it for the driving test if it’s on the list below.Vehicles registered from 2000 to 2004 are affected - these have the following registrations:

W

X

Y

01

51

02

52

03

53

04

Mazda

Mazda 6

Honda

Jazz

CR-V

Stream

Civic Coupe

Toyota:

Corolla

Picnic

Yaris

Camry

Avensis

Avensis Verso

Lexus SC430

Nissan

Almera

Almera Tino

Terrano

Navara

Patrol

X-Trail

Pathfinder (imported vehicles only)

What you’ll need to take to your testYou’ll need to take proof to your test that the vehicle has been checked and, if necessary, fixed.The proof you bring has to be one of the following:

the actual recall letter or safety notice that has been stamped by the manufacturer or dealer

written proof from the manufacturer or a dealer (on official or headed notepaper) that the car is safe for use in a driving test

Your test will be cancelled and you could lose your fee if you don’t bring the right proof.Tests booked for 15, 16 or 17 AprilIf your test is booked for 15, 16 or 17 April 2013 and your vehicle is listed above and hasn’t been checked, your test will be cancelled. However you will be offered another test free of charge.You still need to turn up for test as planned to show your vehicle is affected by the recall.

From 18 November 2012 classic and historic vehicles, those manufactured before 1 January 1960, will be exempted from the MOT test.

Classic and historic vehicles are often very well maintained by their owners and have a much lower accident and MOT failure rate than newer vehicles. The current requirement to undergo an MOT test goes over and above the obligations set out in European legislation. Following a public consultation which showed high levels of support for the proposals, vehicles manufactured before 1960 will be exempted from the MOT test from 18th November 2012 reducing costs for owners.Owners of affected vehicles will still be able to take exempt vehicles for an MOT test on a voluntary basis. If you are presented with any of these vehicles you should continue to conduct the test as for any other vehicle and apply the appropriate pass/fail criteria as set out in the Inspection Manuals.

For more info go to http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/Special%20Notice%205-12.pdf

DSA’s Fraud and Integrity team led a raid in Greater London on 20 February as part of a joint operation with the Metropolitan Police.It resulted in the arrest of a DSA driving examiner, an approved driving instructor and 4 candidates suspected of conspiracy to commit fraud.

As a result of this operation 100 driving licences are being revoked.

A BBC report of the arrests was broadcast on the lunchtime national news yesterday.

“Although rare, when it happens, driving test fraud is a serious offence that puts the lives of innocent road users at risk.

“We have stringent procedures in place to ensure that any fraudulent activity will be detected. As today’s operation demonstrates, we take all allegations extremely seriously and will work with the police to bring offenders to justice.

“The safety of the general public and the integrity of the driving test are paramount.”

You can report anything you know about driving test fraud to the Fraud and Integrity team on 0115 936 6051 or emailintegrity.team@dsa.gsi.gov.uk.

Sometimes the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has to cancel or stop driving tests because of bad weather, vehicle problems or other reasons.

Your test will usually be automatically rebooked for you at no further cost if it’s cancelled by DSA.Bad weather: Practical driving tests are not held in dangerous weather conditions, e.g. when the roads are icy.Call your test centre if there is snow or ice in your local area on the day of your test.When to phone your test centre: You should call the test centre:

as soon as you can on the day of your test if it’s booked for early in the morning

later in the morning if your test is in the afternoon

No answer from the test centre: If nobody answers the phone, and the conditions in your area aren’t looking too bad, it’s likely that the driving examiners are:

checking the local roads to see if driving tests can go ahead

taking driving tests because the conditions are suitable

However, this isn’t a guarantee that your test will go ahead.Call the test centre again or go there in time for your test.If your test can’t go ahead: A new appointment date will usually be sent to you within 3 working days. This could take up to 7 days when the bad weather goes on for longer.You won’t be able to claim for any out-of-pocket expenses.Waiting times for a practical driving test: As well as causing cancellations, bad weather can sometimes lead to longer waiting times for practical test appointments.

It’s illegal to impersonate someone (pretend to be them) and take the practical driving test for them.Impersonators and people who use their services have been convicted in the criminal courts and given prison sentences.The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) investigates every case of suspected impersonation and works closely with the police to take offenders to court.Report an impersonatorIf someone offers to impersonate you for your driving test, report it to DSA.DSA integrity teamintegrity.team@dsa.gsi.gov.uk0115 936 6051Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

When you book your practical driving test you should say if you have any special needs or disabilities.There are a number of facilities to help. You still take the same driving test as everyone else, no matter how serious your disability is. Booking your practical driving test: When you book your test you’ll be asked if you’ll be bringing an interpreter with you.You’ll also be asked if you have:

any condition which affects your movement

any missing limbs

any special learning needs

arthritis

dyslexia

epilepsy

paraplegia

any other special needs

You’ll also be asked if you’re:

deaf - either profoundly or not

heavily pregnant

Getting more time to take your test: More time might be allowed for your test if you have certain special needs. It will give the examiner time to talk to you about your disability and any adaptations fitted to your vehicle.If English isn’t your first language: You can bring your own interpreter for your practical driving test. They must be at least 16 years old. Your approved driving instructor can be your interpreter.You’ll need to arrange your own interpreter and pay any fees that they charge.If you have hearing difficulties: The examiner will tell you what will happen by using written notes at the start of the test if you are deaf or have hearing difficulties. They will also look at you to help you lip read what they are saying if you find that helpful.The examiner will usually give directions to you as hand signals. These will be explained and shown to you using written cards before your test starts.

Foreign drivers must prove they have passed an appropriate driving test before getting a British licence under tough new rules announced by Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond.An inconsistency in the law meant that previously some non EU drivers were able to exchange their licence without proving that the necessary standards to drive in this country had been met.The change in law means requests to exchange driving licences from outside the EU will only be accepted if the licence holder can prove they passed a driving test in a country where the testing standards are comparable with those in Britain.Stephen Hammond said:“The UK’s roads are amongst the safest in the world, thanks in part to the rigorous standards demanded by our driving test. By closing this loophole we will not only make Britain’s roads even safer, but will help tackle fraud and level the playing field for British drivers who spend time and money learning to drive at the standard required in the UK.“It is obvious to everyone that drivers who have not been through a rigorous driving test will not be as safe as those who have. This change in the law will mean we can be sure that any foreign drivers exchanging their licence here have already passed a test of a similar standard to ours.”Licences issued by an EU stateAll driving licences issued by an EU state allow that driver to drive in any part of the EU and there is no need for them to exchange their licences. This does not apply to drivers outside Europe but arrangements are in place with 15 countries that allow drivers to exchange their licences for a Great Britain one.They do not need to take any additional driving tests as DVLA recognise that the licence they hold proves that they have already met the appropriate standards to drive in this country.Inconsistency in the lawBut because of an inconsistency in the law, some foreign drivers were able to exchange a licence with another overseas country with which DVLA have an exchange agreement, and then subsequently swap it for a Great Britain one.This meant that DVLA could not be sure that the driver had met the appropriate standards to drive in this country before exchanging their licence.The law will now make clear that the licence to be exchanged will only be issued on the basis that the driver has met the appropriate standards to drive in this country.The change in law came into force on 11 January 2013

A vehicle can be recalled by the manufacturer if it has a known safety fault.Some recalled vehicles can’t be used for the practical driving test. You need to check if your vehicle is in the tables below if you’re using for your test.Your vehicle will need to be checked and fixed before you can use it for the driving test if it’s on the list.You’ll need to take proof to your test that the vehicle has been fixed properly. The proof you bring has to be one of the following:

the actual recall letter or safety notice that has been stamped by the manufacturer or dealer

written proof from the manufacturer or a dealer (on official or headed notepaper)

Your test will be cancelled and you could lose your fee if you don’t bring the right proof.Ford Fiesta Reason for recall Vehicles affected Recall issue date DSA reference number Faulty seat belt mechanism1989 to 1990 models18 March 1996 Faulty brake hoses Models built between July 1995 and June 1996 with the following build codes: SS, ST, SJ, SU, SM, SP, TB, TR, TA, TG, TC or TK12

February 2008 DSA code: COB 8/98, 10/98, 11/98, 14/98 Right-hand engine mount stud(s) may not be fully inserted. If all 3 studs broke it could result in loss of drive to the wheels1.6 litre DV6 engine with VIN numbers in the range: WF0CXXGAJ6A23666 to WF0UXXGAJU7Y2381318

November 2008 DSA code:COB 37/2008 Fusion Reason for recall Vehicles affected Recall issue date DSA reference number Right-hand engine mount stud(s) may not be fully inserted. If all 3 studs broke it could result in loss of drive to the wheels1.6 litre DV6 engine with VIN numbers in the range: WF0CXXGAJ6A23666 to WF0UXXGAJU7Y2381318

February 2010 DSA code: COB 04/2010206 Reason for recall Vehicles affected Recall issue date DSA reference number Faulty brake linkage Models (excluding Station Wagon (SW)) with build dates between September 1998 and February 2002. All cars affected are ‘S’ registration plate up to and including ‘51’11